12th Jul 2005, 23:01
I just bought my 1998 grand am GT with 158000 miles on it. 7 miles later heater core goes and trans fluid leaked every where. I herd that you can get to it by the shifter so you don't have to tare apart the whole dash. Is this true and have you guys had problems with your heater core.
Thanks for the help.
8th Jan 2006, 00:20
I think GM should take back all the Grand Ams they made, put them in a pile and burn them, and give all the owners a check for $10,000.
8th Jan 2006, 09:23
Guess what? Old cars have problems. The money that you save versus buying a new one generally has to be invested into repairs. The vehicle is almost 10 years old and problems are going to crop up no matter which manufacturer the car is from.
If you don't have the kind of mechanical aptitude to fix your own vehicle you should buy/lease a new one.
8th Jan 2006, 20:04
I disagree that the money you save on buying an old car has to be spent on repairs, implying that you don't come out ahead. It is cheaper to buy an older used car, if you are competent to maintain it yourself, and are reconciled to the fact that things will periodically break down as an annoyance factor. I've kept spreadsheets for several years of my vehicle maintenance. I bought a 10-year-old vehicle 10 years ago (now 20 years old) for $2,500. Naturally it has needed repairs over the years, but my average monthly cost has been $45. To make a more fair comparison with a 5-year car loan term, within the last five years my average repair cost has been $71.50/month. The reason being very trouble free driving in the first 5 years, but more repairs were required after it reached 200,000 miles, 5 years ago. So, $71.50/month versus $500/month for a $30,000 car at 0% interest, 5-year loan. So it can be done, but granted, it's not for everybody.
19th Jan 2006, 19:12
Mine is a 99 Grand AM SE V6. I've replaced the alternator, battery twice, countless rotors, brakes, wheel bearings. Just replaced a wheel bearing, and it is still making noise there. There is a ticking noise in my dash that I have no clue about. The joy stick that controls my rear view mirrors fell inside the door.. My cd player won't work, it keeps reading E20, what does that mean? and now my Check Engine Soon light is on. Also, my security light comes on, flashes, and then I have to wait 10 minutes before I can turn my car on again. Has anyone had any experience with these problems? I don't like taking my car straight to the mechanics as they take a long time to figure out that they don't know how to fix it. Usually owners know best.
18th Feb 2006, 17:32
I own a 1998 pontiac grand am gt and I love it. It nice to have a little power with your 4 banger. The windows are broke and of course the water pump is going out, but there is plenty of room to work on it. People don't blame the car for not taking care of it. Nice touch with the build in cd player and cruise control. Pontiac rocks. Good music, a lot of power, nice body, and cruise, who could ask for more?
14th Jul 2006, 20:15
I just bought a grand am gt 1998 and as soon as I drove it off the lot the transmission started acting up! I still owe $7900 dollars on this vehicle! changed the tranny fluid and the vacuum modulator and it got no better! I got bad luck like the rest of you!
9th Feb 2007, 20:48
I have a 1995 Pontiac grand am. I got it about one and a half years ago I have only had to put new struts, shocks, O.G. Sencer, and a hole tune up. It has 140,703 miles on it and it runs great, but one thing when I first start it, it runs then it st udders for like 30 seconds then after it comes out of it you can go any where you want with it. I went to Tenn. with it, but a good drive didn't even help it. I would like to fix it up real nice some day that's why I would like to no whats wrong with it. If you mite no whats wrong with it please feel free to send a message. 1995 WHITE 4 DOOR SE PONTIAC GRAND AM QUAD 4 DUEL OVER HEAD CAM flyin_low_88@yahoo.com So far I have put a CD player and under glow lites on it and put some in the vents, under the dash in the grille one by each coat hanger, I found some chrome heater switches from a truck stop that fit like a charm. I like to get a GT body kit, tint windows, window vents, head and tail lite covers, rims, and put a nice paint job on it.
9th Feb 2007, 22:35
Great car man. I know guys around here that have over 200,000 miles on their Grand Ams and are still going strong. My 2001 only has 60,000 on it, and it has never had one single problem. The Quad 4 is DEFINITELY the best engine. It has no rubber timing belt to replace and will go 100,000 miles between tune-ups. Your problem could be a leak in the engine vacuum system somewhere. I had that problem with my Dodge at around 239,000 miles and it was a broken hose that was allowing cold air to screw up the computer somehow when it was first started. Lots of luck, you got a GREAT CAR. I LOVE mine.
15th Jan 2004, 18:35
I own a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. I have replaced the window motor and regulators 3 times in 1 year. The car at present has been in the shop for almost 2 months. The timing chain broke, bent all the valves, but 2 and the cylinder head is shot! I have spoken with "GM Cares" several times and have decided that GM doesn't care. I have been told there is no cylinder head for my car anywhere in the U.S...it will have to be put into production and they may or may not make one. Hmmmmmm... I think that a 2002 car should have parts available for repairs. I still have 4 years to pay on this car that I can't even drive! If anyone else is tired of spending their hard earned money on poorly made cars you may email me at jeana1961@email.com and maybe together we can do something about this.